Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  Pacifica--Wagon, SUV, Van? - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Crash - November 18 - 1:56 pm

  I purchased our Pacifica 14 months ago. I am impressed with the car overall. The ride and build quality are some of the best on the market. It handles well on dry, wet, and icy roads. Comfort on long and short trips is outstanding. The car is basically a Mercedes with a Chrysler wing logo on it. In 14 months, I have only had to have the car worked on twice (power seat module and HVAC blower fan motor), other than normal service. I am disappointed with the car not retaining its value, based on the Edmunds Used Car values.

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  Great vehicle - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By stephanie - November 18 - 8:11 am

  We traded in a 04 Altima for the Pac. It was great car and really good on gas which I miss but we needed more room so we went to the Pacifica which my wife was looking at for a while anyway. She wanted 3rd row and I also wanted 4wd so I wouldnt have to worry about her on snowy days. The ride is al ot quieter than the Altima and smoother. A lot more room for are 2 girls. I love the looks inside and out. I was skeptical about the leather but so far I love it. The get up and go is great. like I said the mileage is ok but I have a Nissan Titan that gets about the same as the pac. The kids love riding in the way back and are always asking me to turn the radio up and go faster which gets me introuble with the wife.

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  I love My Crossfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By denisehrh - November 18 - 1:01 am

  Beautiful car. Get complements every day. Hate the front wheel brake dust and cup holder. Other then that its the perfect fun, happy car. My yellow one is just gorgeous.

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  An Economy Luxury Vehicle - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By MikeInCA - November 17 - 6:52 pm

  The 4 cyl Sebring is an attractive if somewhat basic car. The interior is well designed and presents well. Its cruise control, remote entry/trunk release and power locks/windows/mirrors provide the basic luxury youd expect, but thats about it. The MP3 stereo is a nice touch. The MPG is as advertised. There is a recall on a part that can cause a high pitch whine while driving, though its not advertised anywhere (my car has 24k miles on it). The 4 cyl is surprisingly spunky, offering some thrill factor, but not off the line. The 2007 Sebring 4 cyl offers basic luxury in an attractive package for a reasonable price. In todays gas market, its not a bad alternative to the V6s.

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  Best Used Car for the Buck - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By MarineViper - November 16 - 11:55 pm

  Bought with 135,000 miles and this has to be one of the most appealling large American family car, this is coming from a 21 year old. Great fuel mileage, takes the abuse I give it well. Added mods: cold air intake, and small bumper mods. One of the easiest to work on new cars I ever worked on as well.

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  A better looking MB-SLK! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By wyrfox - November 16 - 1:24 pm

  After careful looking and research, the option of getting MBs engineering and Chryslers art deco styling was too compelling. I found my Xfire on Craiglist and it was love at first sight. The car is fun to drive, gets great milage (27-29 HWY) and as the Caddy ads say, "the car returns the favor!" Bit of warning, the dealerships are flakey with only a few Xfire trained techs, but the private MB folks around will understand every aspect of the car. An Mopar will sell parts to anyone.

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  Bad Dangerous Buy - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Button - November 15 - 7:36 pm

  I am very disappointed in my PT cruiser. Steering ratio super bad. Visibility when backing is dangerously bad. There are blind spots. Looking to buy another car and other brand as soon as possible.

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  Mercedes in Chrysler Mask - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Island Joe - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Overall, a great vehicle for the money. Dealership leaves much to be desired - Chrysler dealers do not know how to treat high-end customers (at least the ones in Maryland).

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  A Solid and Fun Drive ... We love it !!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jon & Shari - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Although we have only driven our "tourer" for about 1000 miles, we have thus far pretty much loved every inch of it. Although we would still pick the MDX/ML350/RX/XC90 for quality, we fell in love with the stylish & slick design of the Pacifica. The other makes just looked like any other SUVs out there for our taste. Our only misgivings are not enough horse-power when needed, poor radio reception and too much problems with the the climate controls that we have read and experienced.

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  1st Convertible, Its Great - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By CMS - November 14 - 1:23 pm

  Our Sebring Convertible is now 1 year old and we love it. Living in the Chicago area handling is very important and it handles great in all weather. Considering it is a rag top it is also very quiet. All controls are handy to the drive and passenger. The V6 allows interstate driving with ease. The biggest arugment we have over this car is, who will drive it.